3:00pm Tuesday 20th October 2009
By David Hemming
A FORMER rugby star who lives near Bridgwater is determined to tackle his biggest opponent yet as he prepares for potentially life-saving brain treatment.
Farmer Jim Clatworthy, 52, of North Newton, was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in July.
An eight-hour operation kept him alive, but he has now been told he could only have months to live.
Jim’s hopes now rest on a new treatment being trialled in the USA and Europe, but he has been told there is only a 50/50 chance that he will be eligible for it.
Father-of-two Jim, who made 450 first team appearances for North Petherton and Taunton rugby clubs, said: “I’m very positive – I’ve played against some of the top sides in the country and I’m up for a fight.
“The treatment is a gamble, but I’m up against the wall anyway – if you don’t fight you can’t win.”
Jim’s wife, Michelle, told the Mercury: “The treatment involves wearing a hat with electrodes which send signals to the brain and is a two-year programme.
“Jim has been enrolled on the trials in Paris and Germany, but they have to select half the applicants on a random basis, so it’s like flipping a coin.
“We’ll find out in five weeks if he has been successful, but he’ll only be eligible if the tumour hasn’t grown back.”
“If Jim is not accepted onto a trial it is possible that the therapy, which is known as tumour treating electrical field therapy, will shortly be commercially available in Europe but the whole cost of it will have to be funded by ourselves and could cost up to £160,000.”
The family has been overwhelmed by support from villagers in North Newton and Jim’s ex-rugby teammates, who have set about fundraising to aid his recovery bid.
o JIM has set up a website to keep people up to date with various fundraising activities – to find out more, click on the Related Link on this page and don’t forget to leave your messages of support - just fill in the Your Say box on this page.
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